Connector for display structures and the like



June '10, 1969 F. J. BERNARD CONNECTOR FOR DISPLAY STRUCTURES AND THELIKE Sheet Original Filed July 17, 1961 Inventor FRANK J. BERNARD vII'JU Hm Attorn e y F. J. BERNARD June 10', 1969 3,449,002

CONNECTOR FOR DISPLAY STRUCTURES AND THE LIKE Original Filed July l7,1961 Sheet Inventor FRANK J. BERNARD by. W fyfflw Attorney United StatesPatent 3,449,002 CONNECTOR FOR DISPLAY STRUCTURES AND THE LIKE Frank J.Bernard, 200 Geary Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada Original applicationJuly 17, 1961, Ser. No.124,593, now

Patent No. 3,193,634, dated July 6, 1965. Divided and this applicationOct. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 405,729

Int. Cl. F16d 1/06; B60b 27/06; F160 3/10 US. Cl. 28752.03 3 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a two-part connectorwith a central passage for a structural element and an access passagethereto, a closure for said passage is secured by a displacable elementhaving a means carried thereon for urging the closure element againstthe structural element.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 124,593, filed July 17, 1961and now Patent No. 3,193,634.

This invention relates to improvements in a connector for displaystructures, scaffolding, furniture, or any other knock-down frameworkmade up of connectors and structural members and pieces.

This invention has for its object a connector for joining together ofstructural members in the assembly of framework for supporting articlesfor display purposes, scaffolding for supporting panels, for enclosuresor in any circumstance where any support framework is required which canbe of a permanent nature, but especially those which are to be takenapart again.

in my US. Patent No. 2,874,984 granted Feb. 24, 1959, there is describedand claimed a connector which is useful for the same purposes. Thisinvention relates to an improved connector which has the advantage thatit can be applied to an existing structure without dismantling orchanging the relationship of the components thereof.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide aconnector which can be applied to a structural member already inposition and an integral part of an existing structure and be securelyaflixed to it at a selected position over its length to form a means ofattachment to rigidly support or connect other panels, structuralelements, shelves or the like or to provide a tie for other assembledframework.

Another important object is to provide a detachable connector whichcarries electrical conductors in a manner which conceals both theconnections and the conductors for purposes of appearance.

Still another object is to provide electrically wired structuralelements which are adapted to cooperate with the electrically wiredconnectors over the range of positions available for illumination or forlighting effects or other purposes.

Still another object is to provide a connector which is capable ofsupporting elements in difierent angular positions and which isadjustable over an infinite range of positions on a structural member sothat any desired relationship of the components can be achieved.

Another object is to provide a connector which can be applied tostructural members of different cross sections yet can be rigidlysecured thereto.

ice

The principal feature of this invention resides in providing a connectoror ring-like configuration of which a portion is detachable or movablein relation to the other so that the central opening is accessiblethrough the position ocupied by the detachable or movable portionenabling one to place a structural element within the central openingwhile the ring is open and then to close the opening with the detachableor movable portion to complete the ring and to clamp the structuralelement therewithin.

Another feature resides in providing both the major portion of thering-like structure and the detachable or movable portion withguideway-s spaced from the peripheries and which open to the peripheryof the connector to provide guiding and supporting surfaces throughoutits I peripheral extent for the purposes of efiecting the desiredconnections between the connector and other elements.

More particularly, the connector of this invention is provided withinternal guideways or runways in which an element or elements of areleasable clamp device are deposited in sliding fit, the connectorhaving pass-age- Ways or slots opening to its periphery to receive theother component or components of the clamp device for cooperation withthe first-mentioned elements to secure structural pieces thereto at theperiphery. This aspect is similar to the arrangement illustrated in myU.S. Patent No. 2,874,984.

Still another feature resides in providing the major portion and thedetachable or removable portions wit-h inte-rengageable electricalcontacts and to use the detachable or removable portion as a switch orelectrical connector so that power will be available throughout the ringif it is required, and over the range of positions available on thestructural element.

More particularly, a feature of this invention resides in utilizing astructural element to carry electrical leads, the detachable portion ofthe connector having contacts which are adapted to engage the electricalleads in any selected position over the extent of the structural elementto bring power to the connector over the range of adjwstment.

Another feature resides in providing a connector whose major and minorportions are releasa-bly secured together with the clamp componentsnormally used to attach other pieces to the periphery of the connector.

These and other objects and features are described in the followingspecifications to be read in conjunction with the sheets of drawings inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a connector constructed in accordancewith this invention and depicts its application to a structural elementin broken outline;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of a connect-orconstructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of still another em bodiment of theinvention;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded view in perspective of a connector similar tothe connector of FIGURE 1 but which is provided with electricalconductors;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the connector of FIGURE 4 fullyassembled and secured to a structural member, and also illustratingcertain embodiments of structural pieces, including electrically wiredelements, which are adapted for attachment thereto;

FIGURE 6 is still another embodiment of an electrically wired connectorin plan view, which is adapted to establish contact with electricalconductors carried by the structural element to which it is attached.

-In FIGURE 1 of the drawings the connector 10 is illustrated embodyingthe features of this invention and is shown in partly assembled relationas it is applied to a structural element 11 in broken outline. Theconnector 10 is in the form of two parts, a major portion indicated at12 and a minor portion indicated at 13 which fit together in the mannerindicated by the arrow 14 to form a ring-like structure having a centralopening 15 therethrough for the reception of the structural member 11.

The major portion 12 of the connector 10' consists essentially of twoC-shaped plates 16 and 17 of like peripheral configuration and extent,the plates 16 and 17 being secured together in spaced parallel relationby tubular internally threaded sleeve members 18 of like extent whichregister with openings in the plates 16, 17 and through which threadedfasteners 19 extend to engage the sleeve members 18 from either end.

The opposing surfaces 20 and 21 of the plates 16, 17 respectively, areprovided with groove formations 22, 23 respectively, of likeconfiguration and extent, the grooves 22, 23 having a configurationfollowing the circular periphery of their respective plate elements 16,17.

As the grooves 22, 23 are recessed into the surfaces 20, 21 of theplates 16, 17 it is appreciated that the guideway so defined by thegrooves 22, 23 opens to the periphery of the major portion 12 through areduced throat indicated generally at 24.

Mounted in sliding fit within the internal guideway formation defined bygrooves 22, 23 is a curvate clamp element 25 having a plurality ofthreaded openings 26 therethrough which is adapted to cooperate with athreaded stud or fastener element 27 to clamp structural pieces to theperiphery of the connector 10.

In this embodiment the element 25, as already stated, has a curvateconfiguration which follows the configuration of the guideway andtherefore is slidable therein over the extent of the guideway. It isalso to be appre ciated that nut elements, square-sided, can be mountedin the guideway for displacement therealong for anchoring structuralpieces to the periphery in cooperation with a threaded stud or fastenersimilar to fastener 27.

The central opening 15 in the major portion 12 is bounded by edgeportions which are linear as at 28, 28, 29, 29' and 30, 30'respectively. Edge portions 29, 29', 30, 30 are parallel and intersectwith the outer peripheries of the plate elements 16, 17 to define anaccess opening 31 which mergers with the central opening 15 of the majorportion 12 of connector 10.

The edges 29, 30 and 29", 30' are recessed as at 32, 32', 33, 33' todefine a guideway for the reception of cooperating and registeringportions 34 of the minor portion or insert 13 of the connector 10.

It is seen in FIGURE 1 that the minor portion 13 consists essentially oftwo plate members 35, 36 secured together by an intermediate blockportion 37, the ends 38 of the block 37 being elevated with respect tothe edges 39, 40 of the plates 35, 36 to define the guiding andregistering formation 34 for cooperation with the grooves 32, 32, 33, 33of the edges 29, 29', 30', 30' respectively.

The plates 35, 36 have curvate outer edges 41, 42 corresponding to thecurvature of the outer periphery of the plate members 16, 17respectively and, as well, the block 37 has an outwardly facing surface43 whose radius of curvature corresponds to the radius of curvature ofthe periphery of the plates 16, 17. It is to be appreciated that thesurface 43 is spaced from the edges 41, 42 of the plates 35, 36 adistance corresponding to the spacing of the inner walls of the grooves22, 23 so that when the minor portion 13 is inserted into the passage 31the surface 43 defines an extension of the guideway defined by thegrooves 22, 23.

It will be appreciated that the element 25 with the fastener 27 can bemoved to bridge the juncture of the block 37 with the major portion 12of the connector when the insert 13 is in full registration within theaccess opening 31 and so secure the insert 13 and the major portion 12together against separation.

It is also to be observed that the plates 35, 36- have part circularedges facing inwardly as at 45 which together with the edges 28, 28',29, 29 and 30, 30' define a closed central opening in the connector 10for the reception of the structural element 11.

Because of the curvate configuration of the edges 45 a tubularstructural element having a circular configuration in cross-section canbe anchored within the central opening and be clamped against relativedisplacement and also it will be appreciated because of the rectilinearoutline of the remaining extent of the edge portions of the opening 15,a channel member or tubular member having a rectilinear configuration incross-section can also be fixedly secured therein.

It is to be understood that the stud 27 in threading through an opening26 in the clamping element 25 will abut against the surface 43 and willurge the minor portion 13 against the contained structural element 11with the clamping element bearing against the outer walls of theregistering grooves 22, 23.

In FIGURE 2 of the drawings a different embodiment of the connectorconstructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated at 50. Theconnector consists of a major portion 51 and a pivotally connected minorportion indicated at 52 which is adapted to open and close the passage53 in the major portion 51 leading from the periphery of the connector50 to the central locating opening 54 for the reception of a structuralelement.

The major portion 50, as in the case of the connector of FIGURE 1,consists of upper and lower plates 55, 56 mounted in overlyingregistration to one another and secured and uniformly spaced from eachother by means of sleeve elements 57 and fasteners 58 to define aperipherally extending reduced throat formation 50 leading to aninternal guideway formation 60 defined by grooves 60a, 60b formed in theopposing faces 61, 62 of plates 55, 56 in a like manner as in theembodiment of FIGURE 1.

Mounted to slide in the guideway formation 60 is a nut-like component 63of a clamp device having a curvate configuration following theconfiguration of the guideway 60 and being provided with a plurality ofthreaded openings therethrough as at 64 to receive a threaded shank of asuitable stud or fastener 65 to secure structural pieces to theperiphery of the connector 50.

The minor portion 52 of the connector 50 is pivotally or hingedlyconnected by a fastener 66 within the reduced throat 59 of the spacedplates 55, 56- as at 67 and is swingable from a position in which theaccess opening 53 is fully open to the dotted line position 68 of FIGURE2, the end 69 of the element 52 being provided with a projection 70which is adapted to be located behind the guideway formation 60 and tobe engaged by the clamping component 63 which engages over theprojection 70 preventing the element 52 from 'being dislodged and sosecuring the element 52 against separation from the major portion 51 ofthe connector 50.

The inner edge of the element 52 is contoured as at 71 to provide anabutting surface of the desired configuration for a structural elementto be placed within the central opening 54.

In FIGURE 3 still another embodiment of a connector 75 constructed inaccordance with the invention is illustrated. The major portion 76 hasan outer rectilinear configuration and consists of overlying registeringC-shaped plates 77, 78 secured together in spaced parallel relation byspacer blocks 79, the inner surfaces 80, 81 being pro- 5 vided with aplurality of opposed paired grooves 8-2, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87respectively, which pairs of grooves follow the outer peripheries nextadjacent to define a plurality of internal guideways opening to theperipheries through reduced throats in a like manner as in theembodiments of FIGURES 1 and 2.

It is seen in FIGURE 3 that the internal guideways defined by the pairsof grooves 82, 83, '84, 85, 86, 87 respectively, are linear and open ateach end to the periphery of the connector 75 and are adapted to receiveelongated bar elements 88 and 89 having threaded openings 90, 91respectively, therein for the reception of the threaded shank of asuitable fastener or fasteners having the form indicated at 92. r

The minor portion or insert 93 for closing the access passage 94 leadingfrom the periphery to the central opening 95 consists of a pair ofoverlying plates 96, 97 spaced apart in parallel relation and securedtogether by means of a block 98, the inner surfaces of the plates 96, 97projecting outwardly beyond the block to define a guideway opening 99 tothe periphery of the insert 93.

The ends of the C-shaped major portion 76 are transversely grooved as at102, 103; 104, 105; and are arranged in alignment and are adapted toregister with the guideway 99' of the insert 93.

It will thus be appreciated that the bar element 89 will register withthe aforementioned guideway 99 and together with associated fastener 92will lock the insert 93 within the passage 94 to the major portion 76 ofthe connector 75, and as well fastener 92 will urge the insert 93against the abutting surface of the contained element.

The opposing walls of the passage 94 are recessed as at 106 and 107respectively, to register with the correspondingly configured ends 108and 109 of the insert 93 which keying arrangement together with the bar89 ensures that the insert 93 will be securely affixed to the majorportion of the connector 76.

It will be appreciated that in a manner similar to that of theembodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2 a structural member, indicated in brokenoutline at 100, can be placed in the central opening 95 through theaccess passage 94 and be clamped in position by the insert 93 and bar 89and fastener 92, the connector 75 subsequently having other structuralpieces secured to its periphery employing other apertured bar elementsand nut elements with suitable fasteners.

In FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings an electrically wired connector isillustrated at 110 and includes a major portion consisting of overlyingplates 111 and 112 of like configuration and extent, the plate 111 and112 having part circular peripheral portions 113, 114 and a recess 115,116 respectively, bounded by rectilinear edges.

In like manner as the connector of FIGURE 1, the plates 111, 112 arefastened together in spaced parallel relation by spacers in the form oftubular sleeve elements 115' internally threaded as at 116' andregistering with openings 117, 118 in the plates 111, 112 respectively,and being adapted to be threadedly engaged at each end with fasteners119 extending through the openings 117, 118 from the upper end lowersurfaces of the plates 111 and 112 respectively.

The inner opposed spaced surfaces 120, 121 of the plates 111, 112 areeach provided with groove formations 122, 123 respectively, of likeconfiguration and extent and following the part circular periphery ofthe plate elements 111, 112 to define an internal guideway formation0pen ing to the periphery of the assembled connector 110.

As will be appreciated from FIGURE 4, a plurality of clamping elements125, 126 are deposited in the guideway defined by the opposed grooves122, 123 and are in sliding fit therein, the elements 125 and 126 beingprovided with threaded openings 127 and 128 respectively, to receive thethreaded shanks of fasteners 130 or other similar fastener means for thesecuring of structural pieces to the periphery of the connector 110.

A second groove formation 131 is formed in the surface of the plate 111inwardly of the groove 122 and likewise in the surface 121 of the plateelement 111 a groove 132 is formed inwardly of groove 123.

Grooves 131 and 132 are arranged in overling registrations and have aconfiguration following the configuration of grooves 122 and 123respectively.

Mounted within each of the groove formations 131 and 132 are flat-lyingpart circular conductor elements 133 and 134 respectively, eachproviding a surface for electrical contact throughout their exent andeach having an upstanding terminal portion 135 and 136 respectively,which are arranged to extend generally oppositely axially of theconnector I110 at the juncture of the grooves 131 and 132 with the edgesof the passage 200 defined by recesses 115, 116.

The insert for completing the ring indicated at 137 comprises a pair ofspaced overlying plate members 138, 139 of opposite symmetry joinedtogether by an intermediate block 140 whose end portions 141 extendbeyond the side edges 142 and 143 of the plates 138 and 139 in a mannersimilar to the insert 13 of FIGURE 1 the edge portions 141 having anextent to fit within reduced throat portions of the major portion ofconnector 110 at opposite sides of the passage 200 and the edges 142 and143 of the insert 137 being contoured to register with the grooveformations 144 and 145 respectively, of the plate elements 111 and 112along the edges of the access passage 200.

The ends 141 of the block 140 are provided with a recess or slot 146 inwhich a U-shaped electrical spring contact 147 is located, the contact147 having a lead portion 148 connecting contact 147 to a terminal 149.

The slot 146 on the opposite side of the insert 137, not illustrated, islikewise provided with a U-shaped electrical spring contact and a leadwhich connects the U- shaped contact with a second terminal 150,terminals 149, 150 adapted to be inserted in the plug element 151 tosupply electricity to the conductors 133 and 134 of the connector 110from a source of power.

Upon insertion of the member 137 in the direction of the arrow to closethe passage 200 the U-shaped contacts 147 embrace the upstandingterminal portions 135, 136 of the conductors 133, 134 respectively, toestablish an electrical connection. The curvate surface 152 of the block140 as well registers with the rearward wall of the internal guidewaydefined by grooves 122, 123, for the reception of the curvate clampelement 125 which bridges the juncture of the insert 137 and the majorportion of the connector 110 so that the insert 137 is clamped theretoagainst separation in a manner similar to that described in connectionwith the connector 10 of FIG- URE 1.

With reference to FIGURE 5, it is seen that the connector 110 is mountedupon a structural element 153 having a hollow profile, the hollowprofile being utilized to pass a suitable conductor from one end thereofto an intermediate position, the conductor indicated at 154 passingthrough an aperture 155 in the wall of the structural element 153 andbeing provided with the terminal plug element 151 to establishelectrical communication between the conductors 133 and 134 of theconnector 110 and a source of power.

In FIGURE 5 there is illustrated structural pieces 156 which areprovided with a threaded shalft portion 157 at one end to threadablyengage in the apertures 128 of the nut elements 126 located in theinternal guideway of the connector 110 to secure the pieces 156 at theperiphery of the connector 110. Mounted for rotation on threaded shaftportions 157 are lock nut elements 158 which are manipulated to bearagainst the periphery of connector 110, with the shafts 157 engaging inthe nut elements 126, whereby said structural pieces are securelyfastened to the connector 110 against dislodgement.

In FIGURE 5 a structural element indicated at 158a is provided forsupporting an electrical device, for example a bulk socket or anelectric motor, the structural piece 158a having likewise a threadedshaft portion 159 at one end, the threaded shaft portion terminating inan insulated tip portion 160 and having a square-sided nut element 161secured thereto and spaced from insulated tip or end 160. The tip 160 isprovided with openings 162 therethrough through which the ends 163, 164of the pair of conductors extend on opposite sides of the end portion160. It is to be appreciated that the nut element 161 and the openings162 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of thepaired grooves 122, 123, and 131, 132, respectively.

The nut element 161 has a dimension in one direction corresponding tothe separation of the plates 111 and 112 and in the other direction adimension corresponding to the separation of the bottoms of the grooveformations 122, 123.

It will be appreciated that with the narrower dimension of the nutelement 161 presented to a reduced throat 124 of the connector 110, itwill pass therethrough and upon turning of the structural piece 158 withthe nut element 161 registering with the grooves 122, 123 the nutelement 161 engages therewithin and, as well, the ends 163, 164 of theconductors are brought into electrical contact with the conductors 133,134 mounted within the grooves 131, 132 of plates 111, 112 respectively.

A clamping nut 165 is threadably mounted as well on the threaded sha ftportion 159 and is adapted to be manipulated to bear against theperipheries of the plates 111, 112 which results in the urging of thenut element 161 against the outer walls of the grooves 122, 123 toanchor the structural piece 158 securely thereto.

It is to be appreciated that the structural element 153 has a hollowprofile which can be used to conceal the conductor supplying power to abulb socket or motor to be mounted upon the element.

In FIGURE 6 a connector similar to that illustrated in FIGURES 4 and isillustrated. The connector indicated at 170 consists of a major portion171 and an insert 172, the major portion 171 being substantiallyidentical with that of connector 110 in FIGURES 4 and 5 and the insert172 having a like structure as insert 137 except as follows.

Insert 172 is provided with an extension 173 which is adapted to projectinto the central opening 182 of the major portion 170 to present springterminal portions 174 and 175 respectively for electrical contact atopposite sides thereof. Electrical conductors or leads, not illustrated,from terminal portions 174, 175 are taken through the insert 172 and areconnected to U-shaped spring terminal portions 176 and 177 in slots 178and 179 at opposite sides of the connecting block 180 of the insert 172in a manner similar to that of insert 137 in FIG- URES 4 and 5 toprovide electrical power for the internal conductors of the connector170.

In this instance it is to be observed that a channel member 181 isreceived within the central opening 182 of the connector, the connector170 being arranged in relation to the channel 181 so that the projection173 of the insert 172 passes through the open side 183 of the channel181 and is received therewithin, the channel 181 being provided withsuitably insulated longitudinally extending conductor elements 184, 185respectively on opposed inner surfaces, against which the springterminal portions 174, 175 are adapted to abut to establish elecrricalcontact therebetween.

In this arrangement it will be appreciated that the insert 172 willfirst be positioned with respect to the channel 181 with the projection173 located within the hollow profile of the channel 181.

It is to be understood that the projection 173 will have a dimensiontaken in a direction perpendicular to the plan view illustrated inFIGURE 6 which is no greater than the separation of the edges of thechannel 181 defining the open side 183 so that when turned at rightangles from the position shown in FIGURE 6 the insert 172 withprojection 173 can be passed through the opening 183 and then turned toestablish the electrical contact illustrated.

The major portion 171 of the connector 170 then can be applied aroundthe channel 181 and the major portion 171 and the insert 172 connectedtogether by the part circular plate element 186 and threaded fastener187 in a manner identical with that of the connector illustrated inFIGURES 4 and 5.

In all instances where the connectors are provided with electricalconductors the electrical conductors are suitably insulated from shortcircuiting where the connector might be of metal and in certainembodiments the connectors can be made of non-conducting material, forexample, plastic which in itself serves as the insulating medium.

What I claim is:

1. A connector for joining structural elements together in determinedrelation comprising a C-shaped body part and a closure member having aconfiguration and eX- tent to close the open side of said C-shaped bodypart to define a ring-like structure said closure member being movablerelative to said C-shaped body part in a direction to bear against astructural element adapted to be located within the central openingthereof so defined, said C-shaped body part having an internal trackwayformation following and opening to the outer periphery thereof through areduced throat formation, means disposed in said internal trackwayformation for releasably securing said closure member and said C-shapedbody part together, adjustable means carried by said latter means tomove said closure member in a direction to bear against a structuralelement located within said central opening and means located withinsaid internal trackway and displaceable therealong, said latter meansconstituting an element of a clamp device for securing a secondstructural element to the periphery of the connector.

2. A connector for securing structural elements or the like together indetermined relation comprising a first body part having a centralpassage therethrough for the reception of a structural element to beclamped therewithin the central passage having an access passage leadingtherefrom to the periphery of the body part, the access passage having alongitudinal extent corresponding to that of said central passagewhereby said central passage is open over one entire side to theperiphery of the body part, and a second body part having aconfiguration to fit within and close said access passage, said firstbody part having an internal trackway formation therein opening to theother periphery thereof through a reduced throat formation, theaforementioned trackway formation opening to said access passage atopposite sides thereof, and said second body part having a bearingsurface formation opening to the periphery thereof and being arranged toregister with at least one of the ends of the internal trackwayformation of said first body part with said second body part fittedwithin and closing said access passage, and displaceable means mountedwithin said trackway formation and having an extent to bridge thejuncture between said first body part and said second body part andmeans carried by said displaceable means for urging said second bodypart inwardly along said access passage whereby a structural elementlocated within said central passage is adapted to be clamped thereto.

3. A display support collar for a display pole, comprising: a pair ofmembers each of which includes a pair of flanges held in superposedspaced-apart parallel relationship, said superposed flanges having edgeportions shaped for receiving a portion of the periphery of a displaypole, said flanges being disposed normally to said pole when said poleis received in said edge portions; fastener means for interconnectingthe one of said members to the other of said members to clamp said polebetween confronting References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Wheeler74230.11

Cowles 74-230. 11

Gowing 287-52.03

Bernard 28714 1 0 3,118,694 11/1964 Bernard 28754 3,193,634 7/ 1965Bernard 20051 FOREIGN PATENTS 416,179 11/ 1946 Italy.

CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner.

A. V. KUNDRAT, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.

